Don't You Know, Everyone Loves to Laugh?
Taking a little break from the grind
Lucky you!
I've been working on a new fiction story during my writing group times and have now gotten to the point where I'm totally stuck. Is it a murder mystery novella? Or is it a short story where no one dies, but the main character has a revelation about life?
Who knows? WHO CARES?
What I've noticed about storytelling
When people verbally recall a story they naturally sort of mumble around and back-track to try to figure out where to start and how to tell the thing. Sometimes my husband will describe a scene from his day and I'll think in my head, He sure is taking a long time to get to the point. But, then when I explain something to him about my own experiences I realize, I sure am taking a long time to get to the point!
And that's what makes writing a story so hard, there's no room for that initial ambling. You have to start right on the money or you lose your reader. No one wants to read your ummms and errrs. You must put it hours and hours of work to make the story seem like it’s rolling off your pen.
I've been working on my latest fiction story for too long (about 4 months) and it's not really fun today. Maybe I'll get back to it tomorrow, or next week. But for now that means you, lucky ladies, get a newsletter about things which have amused me recently.
A trip to the desert
My sister lets me share her granddaughters sometimes, especially when she is tasked with watching them both simultaneously. This was the case about a month ago and I jumped at the opportunity to help out! I got myself to her house in Arizona and we babysat those two angel babies for 4 days and 3 nights.
The two of us, who used to do cartwheels together on folded blankets in the living room pretending we were Olympic gymnasts, now have to grab onto something just to lift our bodies up off the floor. Sure, we can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan. But we also need a nap and some probiotics. Nevertheless, we had a great time, namely because the only task at hand was to keep the children alive. No extra-curriculars. I didn't exercise, talk to anyone on the phone, do any work, or write a word (not even in a journal). All we did was grand-parent. (I think I took one shower? Not sure.) And we nailed it! We grandparented the HECK out of that weekend! Crafts, stories, bedtime, bathtime, laundry. It was impressive. I wish I had more photos for you, but I tried to touch my phone as little as possible because that's when those toddlers can getcha! When you are distracted and looking at some text messages, that's when they climb up high things and dump juice onto couches. You have to stay alert! No days off, or even minutes off.
Funny thing my sister said
Mikie's neighbor plays his music really, really loud while he works on random things in his garage. His taste is eclectic enough to defy musical taste. While I was visiting she explained the range of noise she's heard coming from across the street, her least favorite being what she christened "cussy-pants rap music."
We laughed so hard when she said that.
"It's a new Sirius radio station: Cussy Pants Rap!"
Funny thing I said
Whenever we hear a name that sounds fake and maybe suggestive, Jeff and I wonder aloud, "Maybe that's their stripper name?" For example: Amber Crystal, or Misty Mornings. It's a dumb bit, yes. But we've been doing it for twenty three years now. So one morning, with my mouth full of toothpaste, I get a big smile and say through the foam, "That's my stripper name: Ginger Vitus!"
Just what you need
The weather is June Gloomy here in Southern California, which (for you uninitiated) means it's foggy and depressing every morning until noon. In order to cheer oneself up and pry one's body out of the bed, sometimes some cheerful music is required. I recommend the entire soundtrack from "Singin' in the Rain." But if you've only got 3 minutes, press play on this absolute banger from 1952: "Make 'em Laugh!" It’s impossible to be sad while listening to Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds.
I also went to see Beyonce! HELLOOOOOOO! It was just as awesome as you think it was! The vibes in that stadium were so positive, so joyful, and so powerful. I was really blown away. One author I love, R.Eric Thomas, described it as "like Burning Man for the Aunties." Yes. IYKYK
Eric Thomas also wrote this in his newsletter which I read religiously:
I had this boss once who, every time she was feeling particularly stressed or neurotic, would announce to me "My cheese is sliding off my cracker." Which is, really, one of the top five expressions I've come across in life.
Thanks for reading my little slice of incoherence. I hope it distracted you for 5 minutes.
Love you,
Nonni